Western Downs Covid case numbers, locations revealed as outbreak spirals

Residents will take another step towards a new normal soon, with big changes ahead in the Covid battle. Full details on the move and where to find Novavax:

At least two schools in the Western Downs have now reported confirmed Covid cases as restrictions are set to be eased and a new vaccine option arrives.

Dalby South State School acting principal Lyn Fletcher sent a letter to parents and families on Monday morning reporting a positive case within the school community had been confirmed.

“A confirmed case of Covid-19 has been detected in our school,” the letter read.

“If your child is unwell, please take them to a Queensland Health testing clinic where they will be prioritised for a free rapid antigen test (RAT).

“If you, your child or a household member tests positive to Covid -19, please follow Queensland Health guidelines for reporting the test result, isolation and close contacts.”

“If students become symptomatic while at school, you will be contacted and asked to collect them. You will also be provided with a free rapid antigen test (RAT) to administer at home.

Dalby State High School principal Dean Russell notified parents and carers on February 10 that a case of the virus had been detected within their school community.

Parents have reported cases from two other schools in the region, but this is yet to be confirmed.

From up-to-date numbers and testing information to the latest State Government advice, here’s everything you need to know about the current outbreak in the region:

Easing restrictions

Masks will no longer be mandated in most Queensland venues from next month and density limits will be scrapped.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed masks will no longer be required in shops, workplaces, schools and hospitality venues from 6pm on Friday, March 4.

They must still be worn on public transport, in hospitals, disability care, prisons, aged care, airports and planes.

Schools will be allowed to host assemblies and excursions, while restrictions on visitors to schools will also be lifted.

Ms Palaszczuk said density limits will be scrapped in food courts, hairdressers, weddings, funerals, gyms, private venues and universities, and there will no longer be a cap on the number of people you can have in your home.

Case numbers

The Western Downs currently has a total of 864 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with 25 cases recorded since last week.

BREAKDOWN MAP OF COVID INFECTIONS IN QUEENSLAND:

*Note – navigate to your area of interest using zoom in, zoom out or by dragging with your mouse or fingers (if on mobile). Tap the region of interest and a pop up window will appear with suburb data*

Novavax

The long-awaited rollout of Australia’s first protein-based Covid-19 vaccine is officially getting underway.

Novavax will be available as part of the national vaccine program.

The Novavax jab, which was approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in January, is available at GP clinics, community pharmacies and state-run vaccine hubs.

The following sites in the Western Downs have ordered stocks, but readers should contact each facility to confirm if doses are available.

Dalby

Myall Medical Practice

Dalby Amcal Pharmacy

Chinchilla

Your Pharmacy Chinchilla

Tara

Tara Medical Centre

Miles

Acton Health Pharmacy (Miles)

Exposure sites

Queensland Health will only release superspreader or major outbreak venues this year due to the quickly growing number of Omicron cases.

A Darling Downs Health spokeswoman said contact tracers would from now on prioritise vulnerable residents or those who attended high-risk venues.

“Given the rapidly rising case numbers in all parts of the state, we are asking residents of the Darling Downs Health region to assume they are at risk of developing (Covid) no matter where they are, and take precautions such as wearing a mask in public and maintaining physical distance from other people,” the spokeswoman said.

“We are still urging people to check the contact tracing page and use the Check-In App when they enter venues, especially if you are considered vulnerable.”

Residents have turned to community-run Facebook groups to share potential contact venues, but these remain unconfirmed by authorities.

The State Government adopted on Friday a nationally-agreed definition of a close contact, reducing it to a household contact or someone who spent more than four hours with a positive Covid case in a house, care facility, or other accommodation.

Confirmed cases and close contacts must quarantine for seven days from the date they tested positive or were exposed to the virus, and must have a negative rapid antigen test on Day 6 to leave.

Vaccinations

Just above 90.1 per cent of the Western Downs residents were fully vaccinated as of February 7, and 92.6 per cent had received their first dose.

You can find a vaccination location below:

Testing

Residents are being urged to get tested at the first sign of symptoms or potential exposure to Covid, but the rapid spread of the Omicron variant has put immense strain on testing facilities.

Currently, testing sites in the region can be found at:

• Dalby Hospital
• Sullivan Nicolaides – Dalby
  
• Jandowae Hospital
• Tara Hospital
• Chinchilla Hospital
• Sullivan Nicolaides – Chinchilla
  
• Miles Hospital
• Wandoan Outpatients Clinic